AN evil youth daubed himself with fake blood to con a Bolton pensioner into helping him - as two accomplices robbed her home.

And in another incident, a woman of 85 was burgled times in nights as she slept. On the third night, the thieves stole her pension money hidden beneath her in bed.

The two crimes, in which young tearaways stooped to new depths to prey on defenceless old people, have shocked hardened police.

Today a neighbour of the triple burglary victim said: "It is frightening. It beggars belief what people are capable of."

In the fake blood con trick, a youth claimed he had a serious leg injury when he knocked at the 84-year-old woman's home in Campbell Street, Farnworth.

The kindly woman invited him in to use her bathroom, but as she searched for a plaster two accomplices searched her home and stole £50. Detectives said the 'injured' youth was white, aged about 16.

The 85-year-old who was burgled on three consecutive nights is partially deaf and never heard the intruders.

The woman, who lives off Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, was asleep when the raiders struck, last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Police caught and arrested two youths on the second night, but thieves struck again the night after.

The woman had drawn out four weeks' pension money and put it in her handbag under her bed.

She was too devastated to speak today, but her neighbour said: "She is so terrified that she is barely able to speak to the police, let alone leave the house. The police have been marvellous with her, but she is so very frightened.

"Not only have they taken all the money she had for the next few weeks, but they have also taken away any feeling of safety she may have felt. She can't even face going to bed at nights.

"God knows what sort of upbringing these kids have had, but this proves these days there are just no deterrents."

Anyone able to help police can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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